Run into a coyote?

Hundreds of thousands of coyotes roam California — and these “extremely intelligent” predators don’t mind hanging around humans.

Coyote sightings in urban areas are common. Sacramento’s close proximity to habitats like the American River Parkway, for example, means sometimes these animals can make their way all the way to midtown.

An estimated 250,000 to 750,000 coyotes live in the state, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Coyote attacks on people are very rare,” stated the Humane Society on its website. In most cases, people were bit by a coyote as a result of trying to feed it or “trying to rescue their free-roaming pet from a coyote attack.”

Run into a coyote? Here’s what to do (and not do)